“Hotel California” is one of the most beloved rock songs of all time. But the Eagles classic was almost derailed before it was even recorded – by Black Sabbath, no less.
Don Felder came up with the idea for “Hotel California” while sitting on a couch in a beach house in Malibu in July 1975, and the song was given a working title of “Mexican Reggae” by Don Henley.
The Eagles were notorious perfectionists and took three attempts at recording the song – but during the final session, they kept getting interrupted by Black Sabbath, who was rehearsing in the studio next door.
Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi remembers “We were too loud for them… It kept coming through the wall into their sessions.”
Thankfully, the Eagles were able to complete the song, and “Hotel California” became not only the high point of the Eagles’ career but a pinnacle of ’70s American rock.
